| Family: | Iridaceae |
|---|---|
| Common name: | iris family [Zomlefer, pp. 273-280] |
| Diversity: | Worldwide: 70 genera; 1,800 species U.S.: 5 genera PNW (Hitchcock & Cronquist): 2 genera |
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| Flower | |
|---|---|
| Sexuality: | bisexual |
| Symmetry: | actinomorphic or zygomorphic |
| Inflorescence: | cyme or solitary |
| Calyx (sepals): | 3, united below into tube with corolla, may resemble petals (=tepals) |
| Corolla (petals): | 3, united below into tube with sepals |
| Androecium: | 3, opposite outer perianths |
| Gynoecium: | 3 united carpels, inferior ovary (=epigynous), axile placentation, three branched style (=trifid), style petaloid in Iris |
| Fruit: | capsule |
| Other features: | |
| Vegetative Features | |
|---|---|
| Leaves: | alternate, simple, basal and sheathing, often arranged in two overlapping ranks or rows (=equitant) |
| Life-history: | perennial |
| Habit: | herbs, with underground storage organs (corms, rhizomes, and bulbs) |
| Distribution & Ecology: | temperate and tropical |
| Some Northwest Genera: | Iris, iris Sisyrinchium, grass widow |
| Economic Importance | |
|---|---|
| Crops: | Crocus sativus, safron taken from style (dye, spice) |
| Ornamentals: | garden ornamentals Crocus, crocus Gladiolus, gladiolas |
| Weedy and pest species: | |
| Examples | Iridaceae Iris |
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| Iridaceae Iris |
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| Iridaceae Sisyrinchium |
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| click on the genus name for a flower image | |
Links to Other Web Sites
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